Delegation seeks to upgrade Sumbal–Gurez stretch into National Highway; Drass–Gurez road opening sought to cut travel hardship
JK News Today
Srinagar: A delegation of Members of Parliament and MLAs from Jammu and Kashmir on Friday met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at Parliament House and raised key infrastructure and public concerns.
The delegation included MPs Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan, Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo and Shammi Oberoi, along with MLAs Nazir Ahmad Khan Gurezi and Qaisar Jamsheed Lone.
The delegation sought upgradation of the Sumbal–Gurez road into a strategic National Highway, stating that the move would improve connectivity and ensure better maintenance of the vital route.
They also demanded opening of the Drass–Gurez road for traffic to ease travel hardships faced by residents of the remote region, especially during harsh weather conditions.
The lawmakers pressed for early execution of major infrastructure projects, including the Lolab–Bandipora tunnel, Kishtwar–Padder–Zanskar road and Badoab–Sonamarg road, stating that these are critical for regional development, connectivity and tourism.
They also raised concerns over the location of the Army camp at Zachaldara in Handwara. They said the camp, set up during the early 1990s, is now surrounded by a dense civilian population, including schools, mosques and health facilities—(KNO)
